Be yourself everyone else is already taken: We’ve seen this quote being used numerous times. I haven’t found many which convey the impact of being yourself in a tactful and yet simple terms that last. In a world where we are constantly bombarded by marketing, social media and the expectation to be a certain way, it is becoming harder to be ourselves. Now, it presents a real challenge – how do you stay yourself when you’re surrounded by so much noise to become and behave a certain way.
This quote raises a real challenge about being ourselves, espescially when we are constantly being influenced by such variety of people. If not for our friends and peer group, the influencers are all around us who are telling us to be a certain way. The real dangers are pretension, erosion of self, imitation and a total sense of loss and lack of confidence. Amidst all this, we are presented with the challenge of being ourselves because everyone else is already taken.
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Be yourself everyone else is already taken – Oscar Wilde
The message in this quote is simple. Just be yourself! We know by now that something that sounds so simple is often the hardest thing to do. In the world we live in, the challenge of being ourselves is turning out to be a mounting one. However, in every challenge, we recognise that there’s a battle worth fighting. We may struggle our entire life and try to become like someone.
We may even fool some people and create the perfect duplication of someone else. We might even convince ourselves and call it a success. But when you get there, something nags you from within. It is the question that asks – who are you? What do you stand for and most importantly what have you done with all this time?
Becoming someone else
We don’t have a choice no matter how much we debate about it. We can try and become a poor impersonation of someone else or stick it out and find a way to be ourselves. It just shows that how badly we hate ourselves so that we are willing to let go and become someone else. Most times people do this for social acceptance, fame, success or numerous other reasons. But they all lead us to the same grave of death of self.
Ultimately our most worthwhile struggle in life is about finding out who we are, what our purpose is how we make the life of others around us better. The other things come out as an added benefit. If however, we are stuck at the first step and are trying too hard to erode ourselves, something is seriously wrong within which we will need to sort out.
This sorting out starts from a journey within and understanding what prevents us from being ourselves. Once we know that, we can start the attempt of these limiting things that hold us back.
Why do we want to be like someone else?
You see, I think we sometimes sacrifice ourselves for petty outcomes such as glory, success, recognition, acceptance, etc. There are numerous reasons which can be well justified. However, even if get any success or glory from these attempts, it will eventually start feeling empty. Being yourself comes with its own set of challenges and sometimes its own failures. The question we need to ask is – do we have it in us to fight it out and face success or failure on our own terms? Is our individuality more important than the external factors that continue to influence us?
Being yourself can be challenging
Now, I go back to my previous point about this not being easy. And that’s probably why there are so many people talking about it and asking us to be ourselves. The success formula of pretension, imitation can give us some results. But, being yourself requires more challenge, self belief and confidence to take on the world for what you believe in. Being yourself demands that you show strength, integrity and complete belief in your internal values. It will demand that you gather strength even when you feel swayed by these external influences.
The main theme of the quote however is in the centricity of being yourself. We are constantly pulled across by media, our society, culture, work place ethics etc to behave a certain way. In the process, our individuality is constantly getting quashed. To think that we have to actively strive to listen to our own voice is a bit depressing isn’t it? Everyone else is already taken. Everyone else is already struggling to be themselves in the world that we’ve created.
The quote by Oscar Wilde- Be yourself everyone is already taken is telling in the fact that being ourselves is quite a struggle. It was a struggle to the culture and environment back then and it is a struggle now that all of us need to endure because being yourself is not easy.
Being yourself quotes
Being yourself is a consistent challenge. The best way to do this is by becoming strong through small instances. We have to keep listening to ourselves and think who we are. From this, we create a definition and narrative that helps us create our version. It helps us define and constantly evolve who we are as a person.
Let’s take a look at be-yourself quotes for some motivation to help this strength.
How to find yourself, be yourself and protect yourself
As we explore the challenge of being yourself, we have to keep remembering that our individuality can help us go beyond what we can see. We have to appreciate the fact that it will serve us better in the long run. Now, as anything worthwhile, being yourself will come at some short term pains. It will also create some losses in the interim. Hence, it will demand strength, self belief and confidence to be yourself amidst all these demotivating factors. And we all get swayed from time to time which is ok and fairly normal.
But the main point is that we have to somehow find a way and define what we are. Unless we know who we are, it becomes very difficult to be ourselves. So, we start with that part – define who we are. What are the things that make you as a person? These can be values such as ambition, kindness, compassion, love etc. They are the things that you can fundamentally claim as yours.
No one else can take it away from you. The first thing I’d say about being ourselves is the knowledge of our values and being able to explicitly state them. Once, we are able to define what these values are, we will be able to either protect, expand or strengthen them as demanded by the situation.
Themes from the quote – be yourself everyone else is already taken
The main theme of the quote is to stay strong and live up to our individuality. It can take on different themes while we explain the meaning of this quote by Oscar Wilde
Finding ourselves, purpose and values: This is the first step which allows us to understand who we are and what we stand for. Once we start with this step, we can identify how we can be ourselves and build on fragments that represent us.
Having self-confidence vs following the crowd: Once we know who we are, the next step is to protect ourselves. This will involve building the confidence to stay like that rather than following the crowd for some small gains. It might sound easy, but it is a difficult one especially when you have something to lose.
Facing criticism, opposition and challenges: At first they oppose you, then they laugh at you, criticise you and finally they will follow you. This is how change happens. It won’t be the way we want it, but it will be worth it.
Carving our paths in life and creating a signature: This is the culmination of being ourselves. There’s something fascinating about earning our place and these probably are the challenges that test us and eventually respect us for having the integrity to stay true to our internal selves. Perhaps that’s what this life is all about – to find out who you are, evolve that feeling and then establish it. None of it is designed to be easy, but it is designed to be fulfilling!
Be yourself everyone else is already taken – Oscar Wilde
Following the crowd
The society wants to create a replica of a few people. It doesn’t care too much for individuality. If you don’t do it, no one else will. This also means being open to accepting challenges and fighting the peer group and entrenched thoughts.
This is hard right once you find your values there is always a lot of resistance. This may be from people who are either afraid or don’t have enough belief in their individuality. but they’ll never be the ones who will define who you are as a person. It is always up to you. henceforth the courage is also yours to stand up for these values. This means resisting people forcing their opinions on yourself
And finally, do not go where the path may lead you. Life is about creating your path and defining your terms. Instead of blindly following what others do, we can take the tough road. You will find resistance and people trying to discourage you. But don’t give into their fears or insecurities. This is your life, you can’t fall for the failings of others right?
References:
- https://quoteinvestigator.com/2014/01/20/be-yourself/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Wilde
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/Oscar-Wilde
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